Mr. Rogers: "Look for the Helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases

Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Adver-
tise
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry


  Thread 596/77

What is the best finishing process to choose for a keychain?


July 29, 2014

Q. Hello,

I am planning on manufacturing a keychain or a carabiner and I am trying to find which is the best finishing process for this kind of objects if I want to achieve a matte black color.

The things that I am looking for in a finishing process are:

1. Endurance. Since it's an object that will be in a pocket with key and coins, I don't want the color to chip with use.

2. Achieve a matte black color (not a very dark grey and not glossy.)

3. The finishing process must be able to be applied on either steel or zinc alloy material. I understand that I can also zinc-plate a steel surface, but that would create additional costs.

From my brief research, I see that I have two choices; either powder-coating or electroplating. My questions are the following:

1. Are those two the only good finishing processes for what I want to do or is there something else I am missing?

2. Can I achieve a true black with electroplating?

3. Is the only way to electroplate steel an underplate of zinc?

4. Will powder coating sustain the everyday use of a keychain/carabiner or the paint will gradually chip?

Any other thoughts that might arise from my questions and I didn't think of to write here would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance,
Panos

Panos Tsapanidis
Entrepreneur - Stockholm, Sweden
publicly reply to Panos Tsapanidis


July 29, 2014

Q. I am planning on producing a carabiner keychain (not to be used . The material I'll use will be either aluminum, stainless steel or titanium.

I would like to know what is the best finishing process for each of the above materials when what I want to achieve is the following:

1. A real BLACK and not some very dark grey color.
2. A finish that doesn't chip or rub off (since it will be inside a pocket with keys and coins).
3. A finish that is matte and not glossy.

So, keeping in mind the above, what would be the best process for each material?

Best,
Panos

Panos Tsapanidis [returning]
- Stockholm, Sweden
publicly reply to Panos Tsapanidis



(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread


Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:

Finishing
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g,
& Software


About/Contact  -  Privacy Policy  -  ©1995-2025 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA  -  about "affil links"